Our dear friend and brother in Christ, Bishop John Wilson died in Melbourne last Saturday. Our deepest sympathy goes to Jill and the family at this time of parting.

John took my ordination retreat and preached at my Ordination and Installation Service as Bishop of Tasmania in July 2000. He and his wife, Jill, supported us through our years of preparation for missionary service in Argentina. John suggested books and the curriculum for my theology studies while in Argentina. Upon our return to Melbourne and commencing in parish ministry John gave orientation and wisdom. He also walked me through the mysteries and perils of archdeaconing in the Diocese of Melbourne and he and Jill were never distant in my decade of ‘bishoping’ in Tasmania.

John and Jill were with us as I commenced a 9 week prayer pilgrimage around Tasmania which finished on my 10th anniversary as Bishop of Tasmania. John led the prayers of commissioning and with Jill laid hands on both Gayelene and myself on that Pentecost Sunday at St George’s Battery Point. As a couple we always knew they were walking the way of Jesus with us.

The privilege of friends who are that decade or two older than us is truly a gift. The wisdom, strategic sense, common sense and faithfulness that inspire our own faithfulness and life of discipleship is truly immense.

John was a loved brother in Christ, mentor, scholar, teacher of the faith, strategist, pastor, encourager and friend. I thank God for John’s life. I thank John for the stewardship of the life so gifted and Jill for so wonderfully enriching that life. 

I had the privilege of launching his outstanding book, Christianity alongside Islam in April last year. My commendation of his book is here. I concluded the book launch address with these words about the book’s author, Bishop John Wilson:

John is a Christian.
John completes his coloured graphics (in the book) with the painting, The Light of the World by William Holman Hunt (1853). (PowerPoint #24 – colour plate 3.8 in the book)
The selection of this painting is not done casually.
John places before the reader the One to whom he, himself, has entrusted his life and ministry. The One he challenges the reader to consider more fully and to follow more closely. The One to whom he entrusts this book.

I draw this launch address to a close with Bishop John’s own conclusion:

So Christians testify that there is a depth of joy which comes with loving Jesus, loving God, and seeking to walk in his ways and to live by his truth. It is the joy of knowing the saving presence of the Lord in one’s life. Joy is a by‐product as it were, but the experience is real. And that is why Christians are ready to pray with St Paul, ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit’ (Romans 15:13).

You can hear John preach on ‘God’s Gift of Joy’, here. [December 2008 at St Alfred’s Anglican Church, Blackburn.]

Good bye dear brother until we meet in Christ’s resurrection life: that life eternal where there are no more tears but given your presence and passions, there are sure to be books! 🙂

A happy me with a happy Bishop John Wilson who was busy signing his book Christianity alongside Islam at the book launch at GWAC (Glen Waverley Anglican Church).